Reckoning by Jeaniene Frost

Reckoning
(Originally appeared in the anthology Unbound)
by Jeaniene Frost

Genre: Supernatural Thriller | Short-Story (eBook only)

In New Orleans, a pair of undead serial killers are about to turn Mardi Gras into a horror show—unless the immortal hitman Bones can hunt them down first.
From Jeaniene Frost comes a thrilling prequel novella featuring characters from her New York Times bestselling Night Huntress series.

IN HONOR OF MARDI GRAS (Today, Feb 21st). . .

Bones is on the hunt for the famous Delphine & Louis LaLourie, who are actually ghouls and back in New Orleans during Mardi Gras to continue their deadly reign on innocent tourists. With the Majestic Voodoo Queen, Marie, out of town on business, Bones hopes this would be an easy mission, except there is also someone trying to murder him as well, with silver arrows nonetheless. As this twisted cat-and-mouse thriller quickly gets out of control, can Bones save the day (as well as his own neck) from becoming any more bloodier during carnival time?

I just had to tackle a Mardi Gras related story for today and what better character to read about than Bones, so win-win! Overall, I'll just start off by stating I'm not a fan of anthologies since the stories are way too short and always leave me wanting more, but this tale was enjoyable for the fact that it contained lots of Mardi Gras spirit - which I am totally in by the way (and, in real life, out in costume on St. Charles Avenue yelling for REX beads!) This suspenseful thriller shorty contains lots of Bone(s) action (no pun intended), so have fun with that, but also somewhat emotional when you find out the real reason behind Bones mission. Enjoy!

If you don't know about the LaLourie's . . . click here. Sometimes the truth can be creepier than fiction!

Likes: Interesting spin of truth and fiction . . . had me cracking up when I first started reading. The LaLourie's story is truly a famous New Orleans dark tale - so thanks for the spin-off Jeaniene!

Dislikes: As most short-stories in anthologies can be - the story was too choppy for me and somewhat silly (the whole musical Phantom of the Opera Mardi Gras float scene . . . I mean, seriously?)

Rating:

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The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

The Reckoning
(Darkest Powers Trilogy Book #3)
by Kelley Armstrong

Genre: Urban Fantasy / Young Adult

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal. But normal is one thing I'm not. For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf. Not normal. My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently. Definitely not normal. And finally, I'm a genetically altered necro-mancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying.As far away from normal as it gets.

Still on the run from the Edison Group, Chloe and the gang try to figure out the next move in their chaotic escape for a life that offers some protection from harm. Having figured out that they themselves were cruel experiments; they turn to the only safe place they have left - a friend of Simon & Derek's dad, Andrew . Having the chance to stop running, rest, and practice their frightfully emerging powers, Chloe (necromancer) and her friends Simon (sorcerer), Derek (werewolf), and Tori (witch) along with help from Liz (poltergeist) finally decide to fight for their right to live freely in the future.

I read the first two books of this series quite quickly, so when this one came out, I dove right in as well. Even up until the end of the book, I had no idea this was a trilogy and sadly I wanted more at the last page. We were just getting to see the 'sun come out of the clouds' for these kids and finally Derek & Chloe were admitting their true feelings and more. The story moves pretty quickly, so you'll get caught up in the book from the beginning. I enjoyed the whole series and Armstrong's writing really helps the reader feel trapped or alone in the world when the gang gets stuck in tricky/deadly situations. Plus, she creates that perfect spook factor, which I just adore! Even though I'd love to read more about these guys, I'm satisfied how the Darkest Power's Trilogy ended. Overall, I'm still a fan of Kelley Armstrong (ever since I first feel in love with her writing through "Bitten") and will remain so.

Likes: Derek & Chloe's growing romance and Derek's growth into his werewolf self.

Dislikes: Still not a big fan of Tori, I had hoped she would change a little bit more throughout the series, but o'well.

Rating:

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